Narcolepsy | Health | Embarrassing | Channel4.com/bodies Is it normal to be scared of the doctor? Vote now! > Cocooned in our warm bed covers, it’s a wonder we ever choose to leave the wondrous ‘Land of Nod’ in the mornings. But for some people, even when awake, that land is never too far away and could suck them back in at any time. Narcolepsy is a neurological condition associated with a fault in the mechanisms in the brain which control wakefulness and sleep. This commonly causes people to have an irresistible tendency to fall asleep at any time of day, often at inappropriate times, such as eating or in the middle of a conversation. Most people experience the onset of symptoms between the ages of 15 and 30, but it’s only since the late 1990s that great strides in the understanding of this condition have been made. The cause of narcolepsy is unknown but recent studies suggest that it may be a genetic disorder. Medical research has also linked narcolepsy to a imbalance of chemicals in the brain and to major life events.

For example, some sufferers have begun to show symptoms of narcolepsy days or weeks after events such as pregnancy, periods of psychological stress, sudden changes in sleep patterns and head trauma. Contrary to popular belief, narcolepsy is not caused by depression, seizures, fainting or simple lack of sleep. The symptoms can vary from being mild to very severe and can include ‘sleep attacks’, where the sufferer falls asleep suddenly, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and muscle weakness when responding to emotion e.g. laughter. Other reported symptoms are hallucinations, sleep paralysis, difficulty concentrating and restless sleep. These symptoms normally begin to develop during adolescence but it can start earlier and in rare cases even in middle-age. While narcolepsy does not usually cause physical health problems, the affect on a sufferer’s personal and private life can be very significant. School and work can become difficult as sufferers can be perceived as being lazy. Relationships can also come under strain as a result of excessive drowsiness so it is important to talk through how the condition personal affects those suffering with the condition with family and friends. Unfortunately, there is no cure as yet for narcolepsy but there are a number of treatments available to control the symptoms.

These include taking frequent day-time naps, having a healthy and active lifestyle, taking medication and using prescribed stimulants to combat drowsiness. Sticking to a sleep schedule can help, and it is advisable to avoid using nicotine and alcohol as these have been proven to worsen symptoms. Sleep - narcolepsy - Better Health Channel Sleep - narcolepsy Sleep - Sleep related conditions Summary A person with narcolepsy is extremely sleepy all the time and, in severe cases, falls asleep involuntarily several times every day. Narcolepsy is caused by a malfunction in a brain structure called the hypothalamus. Mild cases of narcolepsy can be managed with regular naps, while severe cases need medication. Excessive daytime sleepiness that is not due to a mood disorder or medication is a common health problem that has three broad causes: Inadequate quantity of sleep from sleep restriction, sleep deprivation or timing disorders such as jet lag and shift work Inadequate quality of sleep due to a problem that fragments sleep such as sleep-disordered breathing, excessive limb movement, chronic pain or chronic illness A primary problem with keeping awake and vigilant during the daytime. The term narcolepsy is generally used for this group of disorders.

Diagnosis of narcolepsy Narcolepsy is a rare sleep disorder. A person with narcolepsy has excessive daytime sleepiness, with repeated episodes of sleep attacks, falling asleep involuntarily at inappropriate times, often several times every day. Narcolepsy can develop at any age, but it commonly starts either during the teenage years or in middle age. A person with narcolepsy usually has the condition for life. All people with narcolepsy have extreme levels of sleepiness during the day, but how this shows itself can differ. For instance, some people with narcolepsy might fall asleep for 10 to 20 minutes several times every day, whether they want to or not. Others with this condition have more control over their naps and can choose when and where they will sleep, such as during lunch breaks. Since symptoms vary so much between people, a laboratory test called the Multiple Sleep Latency Test can be used to measure daytime sleepiness during four to five naps of 20 minutes. This test may also show if there is very early interruption of REM (rapid eye movement or dreaming) sleep.

Symptoms of narcolepsy As well as extreme sleepiness and a tendency to fall asleep during the day, other symptoms of narcolepsy all reflect the intrusion of REM sleep outside of established sleep, including: Cataplexy – a sudden, brief reversible episode of muscle weakness brought on by a powerful emotional trigger such as laughing or anger. This can cause a collapse without loss of consciousness and can last from a few seconds to minutes. It is thought to be related to the muscle paralysis that occurs to everyone during REM sleep. Hypnagogic hallucinations – vivid, dream-like perceptions that happen when the person isn’t quite asleep and may involve hallucinations of sight, sound or feeling (seeing or hearing things). Sleep paralysis – at the point of falling asleep, or more often on waking, the person cannot speak or even breathe. This immobilisation can last for a few seconds. Cause of narcolepsy The hypothalamus is a small structure that sits deep inside the brain. Some of its vital roles include controlling body temperature, appetite and thirst. The hypothalamus is also connected to the reticular activating pathways, which are the brain structures that govern our sleep and wake cycles.

It is thought that narcolepsy is caused by a malfunctioning of the hypothalamus that prevents pathways in the brain from working properly. Instead of introducing sleepy feelings towards the end of each day, narcolepsy prompts random sleepiness. Some people with narcolepsy have a deficiency of a wake-promoting chemical called orexin or hypocretin. This deficiency is usually present in patients who have narcolepsy-cataplexy. Treatment for narcolepsy Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. If the symptoms are mild, simple management and coping techniques, such as making time for naps during the day, are helpful. In more severe cases, medications that stimulate the nervous system are used, such as amphetamine, methylphenidate or modafinil. Other sleepiness conditions Narcolepsy is a rare disorder.

More common conditions that cause excessive daytime sleepiness include: Sleep restriction – from not getting enough sleep due to late nights from social activities, TV or computer use Jet lag, shift work – the brain’s internal ‘clock’ sets our sleep and wake cycles to coincide with day and night, and this rhythm is disrupted by moving to a different time zone or sleeping routine Depression – lethargy to the point of sleepiness is a symptom of this emotional disorder Snoring with or without sleep apnoea – broken sleep over a period of time leads to a sleep debt, which causes daytime sleepiness Fatigue, lethargy and lack of energy – common problems that often need to be investigated to exclude sleepiness Chronic fatigue syndrome – thought to be triggered by a viral infection. Other symptoms include weakness, aching muscles, sore throat and headaches. Where to get help Your doctor Things to remember A person with narcolepsy is extremely sleepy all the time and, in severe cases, falls asleep involuntarily several times every day. Narcolepsy is caused by a malfunction in a brain structure called the hypothalamus. Mild cases of narcolepsy can be managed with regular naps, while severe cases need medication. What's Causing You to Be Sleepy?

Symptoms of Excessive Sleepiness and Sleep Disorders By Katherine Kam From the WebMD Archives Look around you: the guy nodding off on the bus, the co-worker snoozing during a dull presentation, the people with heavy eyelids lined up at the coffee shop in mid-afternoon. Like them, your job may be leaving you sleep deprived -- and you may not even realize it. Excessive sleepiness can have serious consequences. You could doze off while waiting at a red light, for example. And not getting good sleep has been associated with high blood pressure , heart disease , diabetes , and weight gain. "I do think that perhaps the No. 1 sleep problem in America is willful sleep limitation. People are working too hard and purposely limit themselves to six hours when they should be getting seven or eight," says Lisa Shives, MD, founder of Northshore Sleep Medicine in Evanston, Ill., and a spokeswoman for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Sleepiness appears to be on the rise, according to the National Sleep Foundation. In its 2009 Sleep in America poll, 20% of Americans reported that they averaged fewer than six hours of sleep per night.

That’s compared to 13% in 2001. What Causes Sleepiness? Sleep problems stem from multiple causes: jet lag , working graveyard or rotating shifts that go against the body's natural sleep rhythms, or skimping on sleep in order to stay on top of a full-throttle schedule. While many of us are tired from skimping on sleep, others with sleep problems may have bona fide sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea , restless legs syndrome , or narcolepsy . People who work graveyard or rotating shifts may have shift work sleep disorder, marked by excessive sleepiness during night work and insomnia when they try to sleep during the daytime. Regardless of the cause, excessive sleepiness "is becoming more of a legitimate complaint," both among patients and doctors, says David G. Davila, MD, a National Sleep Foundation spokesman and board member who practices sleep medicine in Little Rock, Ark. He sees men and women who can't muster enough alertness to finish mental tasks or who struggle to stay awake while driving -- and many who doze off in his waiting room. Some try to cope with excessive sleepiness through caffeine or stimulants, he says.

"They'll come in actually complaining of insomnia because they're at Starbucks too much, and they're piling on the caffeine too late in the day. They're really responding to sleepiness, but then they end up getting secondary insomnia related to the caffeine ." Continued What's Wrong With Poor Sleep? Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep per night, although some people need more or less sleep time to be adequately rested. Sleep woes -- not getting enough sleep or poor quality of sleep -- can have serious consequences. "Not having enough good sleep is linked to the major health problems of our time: hypertension , heart disease , stroke , diabetes , weight gain, and dementia ," Shives says. If you’re getting enough shut- eye but still feel sleepy all the time, you could have a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders disrupt a person's ability to fall asleep or stay asleep, or they may cause odd behaviors during sleep, such as sleepwalking . Some sleep disorders even prompt "sleep attacks," in which people fall asleep uncontrollably during the day. When new patients visit his sleep clinic, Davila tries to find out whether they're having trouble with quantity or quality of sleep. "The first question sleep doctors ask ... is 'Are they getting enough sleep ?

Are they filling up their sleep tank at night or not?' That's a big question because we think a lot of people are not. They're sleep-deprived, either partially or intermittently or chronically," he says. Many times, Davila says, making sure they get enough sleep reduces excessive sleepiness. But if it’s not a “sleep quantity” problem, says Davila, “then we start thinking about quality of sleep.

Could there be a sleep disorder?" Watch for These Symptoms of a Sleep Problem Sleep experts recommend that you talk to your doctor if you have any of these signs of sleep disorders : Routinely taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep Regularly waking up many times and having trouble falling asleep again Frequent sleepiness during the day, frequent naps, or falling asleep unintentionally or at inappropriate times during the day Loud snoring , gasping, snorting, choking sounds or stopping breathing for short periods during sleep--problems that are usually reported by your spouse or partner Creeping, tingling or crawling feelings in your legs or arms, especially as you're falling asleep Legs or arms jerk often during sleep, often reported by your spouse or partner Waking up with headaches I've been falling asleep suddenly during the day - what could be causing this? - Ask Doctor K - Ask Doctor K, Harvard Medical School Posted May 21, 2013, 2:00 am DEAR DOCTOR K: I’m 40 years old and in good health. But lately I’ve been falling asleep suddenly during the day. What could be causing this? DEAR READER: I hope it’s not from reading my column.

If it is, you’re not going to learn the answer to your question — because reading the answer will put you to sleep! Seriously, there are many things that can cause a person to fall asleep suddenly. Your sudden bouts of sleep might be caused by a rapid drop in your blood sugar. They could be the side effect of a medication you’re taking, or could result from stress, depression or inadequate sleep at night. Another possibility is narcolepsy. This disorder causes extreme daytime sleepiness and sudden episodes of deep sleep. Sleep can occur often and at inappropriate times, for example, when you’re talking, eating or driving. Narcolepsy usually appears much earlier in life, before age 30. Since you’re 40, narcolepsy is a possibility. You say you’re falling asleep “suddenly.” If “suddenly” means, for example, that you feel sleepy after dinner, read the paper on the couch and find yourself nodding off as you read — that’s not narcolepsy. On the other hand, if you are eating dinner, and your head drops onto your plate and you’re sound asleep — that’s “suddenly,” and it could be narcolepsy.

I’m not being humorous: People with narcolepsy fall asleep just that way. More than half of people with narcolepsy also experience sudden episodes of muscle weakness where their whole body just collapses. It’s called cataplexy. And many with narcolepsy experience brief memory lapses or blackouts caused by very short periods of sleep. To find out if you have narcolepsy, you’ll need a sleep study. This test measures your brain waves, eye movements, muscle activity, heartbeat, blood oxygen levels and breathing while you’re sleeping. It can help rule out other explanations that could account for your daytime sleepiness, such as sleep apnea. A specific study, called a multiple sleep latency test, is also necessary to diagnose narcolepsy. This test is done after a good night’s sleep. It measures how quickly you fall asleep for a daytime nap, and also reveals whether and how quickly you enter rapid eye movement (REM) sleep during your nap. If you have narcolepsy, it doesn’t mean you need more nighttime sleep. But regularly scheduled, short daytime naps are an important part of narcolepsy treatment. Stimulant medications can help to relieve some daytime sleepiness.

Modafinil (Provigil), armodafinil (Nuvigil), methylphenidate (Ritalin, others) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) are stimulants commonly used to treat narcolepsy. I’m sure this has occurred to you, but if you’re falling asleep without warning, don’t engage in any activities that could be dangerous if you unexpectedly lose control. That includes driving, and even smoking, because of the danger of falling asleep with a lit cigarette in your hand. Sleep Disorders - Causes and Treatments Sleep Disorders Can't Sleep? You May Have a Sleep Disorder Font size Exit print version Sleeping disorders are very common; they are classified as any condition that impedes your ability to get to sleep at night and that causes you to be groggy and exhausted during waking hours. Many people suffer from some kind of sleeping disorder; some of these disorders are relatively common, while others are considered to be much more rare and unusual. If you think that you may be suffering from a sleeping disorder - for instance, you regularly can't fall asleep at night and spend your days feeling exhausted and worn out - you should consult with a doctor to figure out a treatment. Why do sleep disorders occur?

Different sleeping disorders occur for different reasons, but most of them are initially brought on by a bout of major stress or another upset in one's life. Sometimes, other medical conditions bring on a sleeping disorder; at other times, prescription medications can cause them to occur. A change of environment can bring on a sleeping disorder, as can hormonal changes from a new baby for instance. Regardless of how they occur, sleeping disorders are common enough that there are many different treatments and strategies for dealing with them - no one should feel alone in this regard. Common sleep disorders One of the most common sleeping disorders is insomnia . Affecting millions of people worldwide, insomnia is characterized by being unable to get to sleep, or even stay asleep. There are many purported treatments for insomnia, including herbal remedies and prescription sleep aids. Another very common sleeping disorder is sleep apnea ; in this condition, people actually stop breathing for brief periods of time while asleep. Their sleep cycle is interrupted and they feel as if they didn't get any rest during the night. In RLS, or Restless Legs Syndrome , sufferers have unpleasant sensations in their legs during the night that make them have difficulty sleeping. RLS can be treated with herbal sleep aids, much like insomnia.

Rare sleep disorders In addition to the many relatively common sleeping disorders, there are quite a few rare sleeping disorders as well. One example of a relatively rare sleeping disorder is narcolepsy. In this condition, the sufferer finds him or herself falling asleep at random, inappropriate parts of the day - often without warning. Another rare sleeping disorder is delayed sleep phase disorder. People with this sleep disorder can't stick to an appropriate sleep schedule, and may sleep away the afternoon or during another unusual time. Sleep disorder cures and treatments There are many cures and treatments currently on the market today for sleeping disorders. Sometimes, people simply need to employ a few strategies and techniques before bedtime in order to deal with their sleeping disorder. More serious sleeping disorders may require sleeping aids; in those cases, herbal sleep aids are the preferred choice for many people - especially those who wish to avoid harsh chemicals and potentially addiction forming medications. To see which natural sleep aid was top rated, check out the product reviews . Email a Friend Narcolepsy Symptoms - Mayo Clinic By Mayo Clinic Staff The symptoms of narcolepsy most commonly begin between the ages of 10 and 25. They may worsen for the first few years, and then continue for life.

They include: Excessive daytime sleepiness. People with narcolepsy fall asleep without warning, anywhere, anytime. For example, you may suddenly nod off while working or talking with friends. You may sleep for a few minutes or up to a half-hour before awakening and feeling refreshed, but eventually you fall asleep again. You also may experience decreased alertness throughout the day. Excessive daytime sleepiness usually is the first symptom to appear and is often the most troublesome, making it difficult for you to concentrate and fully function. Sudden loss of muscle tone. This condition, called cataplexy (KAT-uh-plek-see), can cause a number of physical changes, from slurred speech to complete weakness of most muscles, and may last for a few seconds to a few minutes. Cataplexy is uncontrollable and is triggered by intense emotions, usually positive ones such as laughter or excitement, but sometimes fear, surprise or anger. For example, your head may droop uncontrollably or your knees may suddenly buckle when you laugh. Some people with narcolepsy experience only one or two episodes of cataplexy a year, while others have numerous episodes daily. Not everyone with narcolepsy experiences cataplexy. Sleep paralysis.

People with narcolepsy often experience a temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or upon waking. These episodes are usually brief — lasting a few seconds or minutes — but can be frightening. You may be aware of the condition and have no difficulty recalling it afterward, even if you had no control over what was happening to you. This sleep paralysis mimics the type of temporary paralysis that normally occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the period of sleep during which most dreaming occurs. This temporary immobility during REM sleep may prevent your body from acting out dream activity. Not everyone with sleep paralysis has narcolepsy, however. Many people without narcolepsy experience some episodes of sleep paralysis, especially in young adulthood. Hallucinations. These hallucinations are called hypnagogic hallucinations if they happen as you fall asleep and hypnopompic hallucinations if they occur upon waking. They may be particularly vivid and frightening because you may be semi-awake when you begin dreaming and you experience your dreams as reality. Other characteristics People with narcolepsy may have other sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing starts and stops throughout the night, restless legs syndrome and even insomnia.

People with narcolepsy may also act out their dreams at night by flailing their arms or kicking and screaming. Some episodes of sleep attacks are brief, lasting seconds. Some people with narcolepsy experience automatic behavior during these brief episodes. For example, you may fall asleep while performing a task you normally perform, such as writing, typing or driving, and you continue to function while asleep. When you awaken, you can't remember what you did, and you probably didn't do it well. When to see a doctor See your doctor if you experience excessive daytime sleepiness that disrupts your personal or professional life. "Fall Asleep While Sitting": Sleep Disorders Community - Support Group Post my content anonymously (without my username) Put this on my watchlist and alert me by email to new posts T2girl2 responded: Sounds like narcolepsy to me ADD is Attention Def. Disorder and ADHD is Attention Def Hyperactivity Disorder and from what I have seen those people NEVER sleep and their brains move so fast they can't keep up. If I had all that going on I would run not walk to the closest Neurologist and have an overnight sleep study done. Then some of your questions would be answered. I most definitely would not be self diagnosing.

Good luck and be safe. Thanks for your Reply! johnsonsmusic responded: I have the same problems except for the low iron and 'staring problem'. I did an overnight sleep study at a hospital and they ruled out restless leg syndrom and any form of sleep apnea. You might have either of those? Then I went to see a neurologist and he basically told me he didn't have enough info to label me as a narc. He said I could do a day study where they observe me during napping sessions, or take a pill and see if it helps my sleepiness. He was really pushing for the pill.... Good luck! Thanks for your Reply! callmered53 responded: Wow, that sounds exactly like me. I can easily fall asleep anywhere. I had the overnight sleep study done. By the time I was notified about the study I did not have health insurance anymore and did not go back (In fact, I lost that job because of my dozed state sometimes. But they didn't go to the health issue so they fabricated a reason. It was devastating to me. That was about 5 years ago and at my job now, the deductible is SO high, I just can't go back.

The sleep center wanted me to go back as they thought it may have something to do with my breathing; therefore not getting a quality nights sleep. I've been told I "work up to a snore" at night and for a second or two breathing stops before the big snore. I'm also told (this all by my spouse) sometimes I wake myself up, but I do not remember it. My doc said it could be mild narc and some sleep apnea. It stinks because I always have to sleep on my left side ! Any other way and I snore alot. Isn't that weird? I DO get tired (no pun intended) of sleeping on one side every single night. My doctor also feels I need to get to bed earlier at night. I have existed for a long time on 6.5 hrs a night. I do notice if I have 7.5-8 hrs I am more alert. It is so diffiult to get to bed by 9 ! I get up at 5 to be to work at 7 every day. It's always a one day at a time issue. Anyway, I'm rambling. I truly hope you find what you need to help!

I can sympathize with you 100%. Thanks for your Reply! JERSEYJOAN responded: Advise: You should tell your doctor about this and have a sleep study done. it will tell you how many minutes you actually sleep of the total hours you think you are asleep, how often you wake up, how long you stop breathing, your sleep pattern and sleep stages, how much oxygen you are getting,if you have sleep apnea (stop breathing) or restless leg syndrome. I had the sleep study done and was alarmingly amazed at my results. I stop breathing during the night so oxygen does not get to my vital organs & this puts me @ a 2-3 times higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Not good. Getting a C-PAP machine that will help me breathe continuously thus providing my organs with the oxygen they need to help me get a good night's sleep & wake refreshed with energy instead of always feeling tired and exhausted. You probably are not getting a good night's sleep so you're falling asleep or dozing when sitting. if you have sleep apnea a special sleep doctor will advise you what to do. Good luck! Thanks for your Reply! BarSinister responded: sounds like Sleep Apnea.

You should go back to the sleep study people. This can cause some REALLY bad problems. Falling asleep on the road or at stop signs is NOT a good thing. You may need a CPAP or a Bi-PAP machine Thanks for your Reply! bettyboop3415 responded: Fall Asleep While Sitting: I understand what you are going through totally!!!!!!!!!!!! I too can fall asleep sitting......usually on the toliet, and I awake only because my legs hurt from lack of blood flow. I can also fall asleep standing (ANYWHERE) I feel asleep staring into my closet looking for something to wear, washing dishes as late as this morning 12/11/09, also while I'm at the Computer desk typeing or reading an E-mail, and sometimes I can get very tired while driveing, so I pray alot (Lord please keep me awake so that I do not cause an accident and hurt someone or myself).

I have been diagnosed twice with Sleep Apnea once in 2007 and again in 2009, in 2007 once I tried the CPAP I freaked out because I am clostrophobic, and I CAN NOT wear it, so the Tech sent me home........nothing ever became of it after that until 2009 when I could not get the medication I needed to try to stay awake during the day. So my doctor sent me for another Sleep test because I had lost 70 lbs and they thought that it could of changed, and it did for the WORSE!!!!!! My brain does not tell me while I sleep to breathe, therfore I am not getting enough oxegen to my brain, while I sleep, so therefore everytime you stop breathing you wake yourself up (you do not remember it) but you do. Which brings me to why I (you) fall asleep anywhere/anytime of the day because your body is exhausted. You need to get a CPAP that is the only way that I am aware of at this time that will help you. I have to go to UOC to try to get some kind of help because I can not ware the CPAP.

Good Luck to you! Sleeping anywhere/anytime in Chicago. I forgot to add I also fell asleep in Church once. and I sit in the second row......yikes. how embarassing. Thanks for your Reply! safeharbor responded: I have the utmost sympathy and understanding of these problems !!!!! I have been known to doze off in the Dental Chair while I was supposed to be clamping down on a mold for a crown. I sometimes fall asleep while doing my bills, balancing the checkbook, writing letters, on the toilet----and--- have been known to fall off the toilet onto my knees & injure my knees &palms. I also have often fallen asleep while reading the news or magazines---and watching TV. I take medicine for this condit6ion which helps some---when I remember to take it. It is a real, problem for me----and humiliating!!!!!!! Thanks for your Reply! choo_chu responded: I dealt with the same thing as you for a number of years...it was really a drag. I know life is really hard when your sleeping is really bad, as it affects all aspects of your life and I feel for all of those people who are living with this.

Regardless of the underlying cause for your sleep problems, it needs to be diagnosed and treated. The first step is getting a sleep study done and you can go from there. If the cause isn't something like sleep apnea, you'll at least know and you can go to the appropriate type of doctor for treatment to remedy the problem and get your sleep back on track. In my case, I have asthma, which was causing me a lot of breathing difficulty at night. I wasn't waking up at night due to snoring and breathing pauses (though I was snoring due to airway resistance), but due to not being able to breathe right. I did wake up sometimes due to coughing. I now use medications to help me breathe better, which has significantly improved my sleep. If I don't use my medications as prescribed I start snoring and having breathing/coughing problems again and my sleep problems return. I also have to be careful to avoid things that make my asthma worse, as that can affect my sleep. Good luck! hampower responded: Wow I am so glad I am not alone. I live a life of frustation because I can't seem to hardly get important things done because I ALWAYS FEEL SO TIRED.

I have frequent daytime sleep attacks especially on my job and it only happens when my body is not in motion. I fall asleep at my desk while reading my tasks for the day, I fall asleep in front of any computer any where, I fall asleep while reading any book any where, watching a play or in class, at a ball game or a program at my kids school. The scariest place a fall asleep is while driving and this happens to me EVERYDAY non stop if I could draw a picture of this experience it would be a boxing match between me and the sleep monster I am utterly miserble because I can't seem to control the sleep attacks. I usually hallucinate during this time of the light being green and its not, of conversation episodes that have never been or some foggy picture of me interacting with someone or a group of people. I am not doing so well in college because I have the hardest time reading my material without going in the boxing ring with the sleep monster so it takes me a long time to read all of my text book assignments. I fall asleep while doing my math homework, science homework or any homework.

I need some releif and I am most of the time very irritable and frustrated because I just simply don't have enough energy to support all the hats I where as a employee, mother, wife, student etc. Thanks for your Reply! tinyflamencodancer responded: Thanks everyone for your opinions and input. I really appreciate it. I made a revelation about a week ago; I found a way to stay awake. Doodling! I doodle borders on my notes, but it has to be an odd border with no actual pattern to keep my brain moving. I've tried generic borders and I still tend to dose off or at the very least, my mind wanders. I don't draw elaborate designs, just abstract ones. And I feel like I am paying attention to the lectures. I guess the midterms will reveal the truth. Thanks for your Reply! All_is_One responded: I usually can fall asleep easily just by sitting down and not talking or moving. When I meditate, I usually do this twitch thing which happens right before I fall asleep. I'm healthy but otherwise I just see it as part of my life experience. All things are perfect as they are! Thanks for your Reply!

spoonetms responded: I think you might have Chronic fatigue syndrome here is some info on it Overview Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition of prolonged and severe tiredness or weariness (fatigue) that is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other conditions. To be diagnosed with this condition, your tiredness must be severe enough to decrease your ability to participate in ordinary activities by 50%. See also: Fatigue Symptoms Symptoms of CFS are similar to those of most common viral infections (muscle aches, headache, and fatigue). They come on within a few hours or days and last for 6 months or more.

Main symptoms: Fatigue or tiredness, never experienced to this extent before (new onset), lasting at least 6 months and not relieved by bed rest Fatigue that is severe enough to restrict activity (serious fatigue develops with less than one-half of the exertion compared with before the illness) Other symptoms: Fatigue lasting more than 24 hours after an amount of exercise that would normally be easily tolerated Feeling unrefreshed after sleeping an adequate amount of time Forget fulness or other similar symptoms including difficulty concentrating, confusion, or irritability Headaches, different from previous headaches in quality, severity, or pattern Joint pain, often moving from joint to joint (migratory arthralgias), without joint swelling or redness Lymph node tenderness in the neck or armpit Mild fever (101 degrees F or less) Muscle aches (myalgias) Muscle weakness, all over or multiple locations, not explained by any known disorder Sore throat Remember you don't have to have all the symptoms to have it I have Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Characteristic signs and symptoms of sympathetic nervous system involvement include the following: Burning pain -I DON'T HAVE THIS I HAVE STABBING PAIN HALF OF RSD PEOPLE DO BUT

 THE STILL ONLY USUALLY LIST BURNING PAIN BUT MUST DOCTORS KNOW ITS STILL THE SAME Extreme sensitivity to touch Skin color changes (red or bluish) Skin temperature changes (hot or cold) DON'T WAIT FOR DOCTORS YOU NEED TO DO THE WORK YOUR SELF LIKE YOU ARE DOING NOW.

BECAUSE ME AND MY MOTHER HAD TO DO THIS WHEN I WAS NINE. BECAUSE THE DOCTORS WERE NOT DOING THE WORK WHEN WE CAME UP WITH R.S.D THEY SAID OH YES YOUR RIGHT IT FIT PERFECT. SO STICK IN THERE AND I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT FALLING ASLEEP SITTING UP WITH R.S.D YOU ARE TIRED ALL THE TIME TOO. I JUST WOKE UP ON THE TOILET I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG I WAS THERE BUT MY LEGS HURT AND IT WASNT THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN TO ME LOL. Thanks for your Reply! Sleep Disorders: Symptoms & Types Overview of Sleep Problems Learn about some common sleep disorders. Sleep Problems in Children Children and adolescents need at least nine hours of sleep per night. Sleep problems and a lack of sleep can have negative effects on children's performance in school, during extracurricular activities, and in social relationships. Physical Side Effects of Oversleeping Is oversleeping getting in the way of your day? WebMD explains what can happen -- the physical side effects -- of getting too much sleep. Snoring Occasional snoring is usually not very serious and is mostly a nuisance for your bed partner.

However, if you are a habitual snorer, you not only disrupt the sleep patterns of those close to you, but you also impair your own sleep quality. Parasomnias Parasomnias are disruptive sleep disorders that can occur during arousals from REM sleep or partial arousals from non-REM sleep. Parasomnias include nightmares, night terrors, sleepwalking, confusional arousals, and many others. Nightmares in Adults When you wake up terrified from a disturbing nightmare, you might think you're the only adult who has them. After all, aren't adults supposed to outgrow nightmares? Night Terrors Night terrors in children are distinctly different from the much more common nightmares. Night terror symptoms are frequent and recurrent episodes of intense crying and fear during sleep, with difficulty arousing the child. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Here's information to help you understand how obstructive sleep apnea can affect your life and what can be done about it. Central Sleep Apnea In central sleep apnea, breathing is disrupted regularly during sleep because of the way the brain functions. Insomnia Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling and/or staying asleep.

Sleepwalking Symptoms Sleepwalking symptoms aren’t as obvious as they may seem. Get the details here. Bedwetting While bedwetting can be a symptom of an underlying disease, a large majority of children who wet the bed have no underlying disease that explains their bedwetting. Narcolepsy Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the control of sleep and wakefulness Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) Occasional teeth grinding, medically called bruxism, does not usually cause harm, but when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis, the teeth can be damaged and other complications can arise, such as jaw muscle discomfort or TMJ pain. REM Sleep Behavior Disorder In a person with REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), the paralysis that normally occurs during REM sleep is incomplete or absent, allowing the person to "act out" his or her dreams. Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders Circadian rhythm disorders are disruptions in a person's circadian rhythm -- a name given to the "internal body clock" that regulates the (approximately) 24-hour cycle of biological processes in animals and plants.

Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder is a specific kind of circadian rhythm disorder that is particularly common among blind people. People with N24 may find themselves gradually going to bed later each night and waking up later each day until their sleep schedule gets flipped all the way around. Periodic Limb Movement Disorder Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is a sleep disorder characterized by rhythmic movements of the limbs during sleep. Hypersomnia (Daytime Sleepiness) Hypersomnia, or excessive sleepiness, is a condition in which a person has trouble staying awake during the day. People who have hypersomnia can fall asleep at any time -- for instance, at work or while they are driving. Sleep Paralysis Have you ever felt like you were awake but unable to move? You might have even felt afraid but could not call for help? This condition is called sleep paralysis. Sleep-Related Eating Disorders Sleep-related eating disorders are characterized by abnormal eating patterns during the night. Shift Work Sleep Disorder Shift work sleep disorder is trouble sleeping because you work nights or rotating shifts. You also may have this problem if you have trouble staying awake or alert when you are supposed to work your shift. Top Picks

Question: What is the name of the medical condition which causes the sufferer to fall asleep anywhere, at any time?
Answer: Narcolepsy